The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Replacing Costly Asphalt With Sand
Could sand be the next great paving material? Thomas Kosbau and Andrew Wetzler recently won a design competition in Korea with their idea to combine sand with a bacteria that turns sand to stone.
Biofuel-Producing Architecture
A proposal for a skyscraper that grows biodiesel-emitting algae took 2nd place in a competition to design the 300m tall Taiwan Tower in Taichung.
Poor Ridership = Poor Efficiency
Randal O'Toole argues that transit will never be energy efficient because ridership is never high enough to warrant the energy expelled.
Critiquing The Landscape Urbanism
As landscape urbanists hover in the exalted world of the designer-hero-genius, Emily Talen asks — where are the people?
Five Alternatives to the Mall Worth Looking At
With malls failing around the country, America may want to consider innovative new projects from international sites like Morocco or the Philippines.
Commercializing the Landscape
When an Apple Store wanted to move into the Georgetown neighborhood in D.C., the Design Review Board pushed for a more fitting facade. After a backlash from residents eager for an Apple, the trademark building went in. Is Georgetown better off?
Retro Trains of the Future
Popular Science digs through their archives to unearth a collection of fantastical, futuristic trains such as amphibious monorails, suspended railways and "two-headed trains."
The Most Miserable City in Canada
Toronto takes the crown in a new study from the Canadian Centre for the Study of Living Standards, ranking lowest in happiness for the country.
Sustainability, Minus the Doom and Gloom
James Way reviews two new books that propose sustainable approaches to architecture that don't dwell in post-oil, post-apocalyptic scenarios to make their point.
Could China Set New Standards for Coal Mining?
The Atlantic's James Fallows and Alexis Madrigal fly over Virginia & Kentucky to see first hand how mining effects the land, both in the U.S. and more importantly in China, where they're developing greener techniques for mining.
Are Smaller Cities Better Equipped for the Future?
Joel Kotkin puts forward the premise that smaller urban regions are more nimble than big cities. Kotkin dubs these smaller cities like Austin, Columbus and Raleigh-Durham "efficient cities."
Recyclable Subways
A new model of subway car designed by BMW and Siemens is being built for the Warsaw, Poland Metro. The aluminum chassis is reportedly 97.5% recyclable.
Development as Preservation
Preservation laws often ban additions to designated buildings, which can be counterproductive, says Stephen Smith, who argues that incremental add-ons can protect buildings from future redevelopment driven by market forces.
Different Skills for Different City Sizes
Cities attract skilled workers. But skillsets are not the same across different cities, according to this recent study.
Los Angeles' Transit Rebirth
Los Angeles is engaged in one of the most massive rail building schemes of any American city since NYC extended its subways last century, however, LA's is a mixture of light and heavy rail, and may just be Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's legacy.
Women's Bike Ridership Reveals Road Safety Concern
Only 2% of bike riders in Lima are women. Jonna McKone looks at what hinders women from hopping on bikes and the further implications.
The Anti-Robert Moses
<em>Esquire</em> profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, highlighting her impact on the city's public spaces.
A Bike Sharing System, But For Whom?
<em>WNYC</em> talks with New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan about the city's planned bicycle sharing system about how it will work and who it's intended to serve.
The Modern-Day Reality of New Deal Utopias
This slideshow from <em>Design Observer</em> takes a look at New Deal-era utopian cities as they exist today.
Changing Federal Politics, But Potential at State and Metro Levels
In this episode of <em>Next American City</em>'s podcast, the Brookings Institution's Bruce Katz discusses the future of federal policy as the country's political makeup changes after the mid-term elections.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
